Rizal Technological University (RTU) successfully held a congress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), spearheaded by the Supreme Student Council (SSC) and the International Affairs and Linkages Office (IALO). The event gathered student leaders from across the RTU community, including members of the Student Council, and academic and non-academic organizations, to advance their understanding and commitment to the United Nations’ SDGs.

The congress featured presentations and insights from esteemed resource speakers Mr. Jerome Duque, International Rankings Secretariat and Technical Staff of the CHED- IAS National Review Committee, and Dr. Gaudencio Petalcorin, a member of the CHED Internationalization National Review Committee and professor at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, who inspired and guided participants in addressing global challenges. A key event highlight was the workshop session, where student leaders collaborated on creating impactful projects addressing a specific SDG of their choice. These projects were designed to benefit the RTU community and extend their positive influence to local communities beyond the university.

Following the workshop, each group presented their project. Their proposals were critiqued by the resource speakers, joined by Mr. Donne Z. Estocada, Director of IALO, providing valuable feedback to help refine and strengthen the initiatives.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Estocada emphasized the significance of the SDG Congress in fostering proactive leadership and sustainable action. He also announced that the congress would hold another session next year, further supporting the university’s commitment to empowering its student leaders as agents of positive change and global development.

The SDG Congress underscored the vital role of youth leadership in achieving sustainable development, equipping RTU’s student leaders with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to make a lasting impact.